Methods for modulating dissolution, bioavailability, bioequivalence and drug delivery profile of thin film drug delivery systems, controlled-release thin film dosage formats, and methods for their manufacture and use

ABSTRACT

Methods for modulating dissolution, bioavailability, bioequivalence and drug delivery profile of thin film drug delivery systems, controlled-release thin film dosage formats, and methods for their manufacture and use are disclosed.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/371,167, filed May 7, 2006, which application is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 10/921,770,filed on Aug. 18, 2004, and 10/713,544 filed on Nov. 13, 2003 and10/402,273, filed on Mar. 28, 2003, and further claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application Ser. Nos. 60/426,598, filed Nov. 14, 2002 and60/497,186, filed Aug. 22, 2003, all of which are incorporated herein byreference as if fully set forth herein in their entirety, including alldrawings, figures and examples.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to delivery of drugs, nutrients and othercompounds to a biological organism. Thin film dosage formats, includingbi-layer film dosage formats, containing controlled-release formulationsare disclosed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Thin film dosage formats are known in the art. One of the often citedadvantages of thin film dosage formats is the rapid dissolution of thethin film. This rapid dissolution provides for the immediateavailability of an active ingredient in the thin film. Although thisrapid availability characteristic of thin films can be very useful, italso entails certain disadvantages.

The absorption of an active ingredient after oral administration dependson several variables, including the release of the active ingredientfrom the dosage format, the dissolution or solubilization of the activeingredient under physiological conditions, and the permeability of theactive ingredient across the oral mucosa and gastrointestinal tract.

New drug applications (NDAs) submitted in the United States to the Foodand Drug Administration (FDA) contain bioavailability data and in vitrodissolution data, that, together with chemistry, manufacturing, andcontrols data, characterize the quality and performance of the drugproduct. This information for approved drugs can be found in FDA'sApproved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations (OrangeBook). Once the specifications are established in an NDA, thedissolution specifications for batch-to-batch quality assurance aregenerally also published in the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) ascompendial standards, which generally become the official specificationsfor all subsequent products with the same active ingredients.

Acceptable bioequivalence data and comparable in vitro dissolution andchemistry, manufacturing, and controls data are required for approval ofabbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs) (21 CFR 314.94) in the UnitedStates. Regulations at 21 CFR part 320 address the requirements forbioavailability and bioequivalence data for approval of drugapplications and supplemental applications.

Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to provide an improved ediblefilm, and processes for making the same, that permitted modulating thedissolution, plasma peak height, bioavailability and/or bioequivalenceof an active ingredient delivered in an oral thin film format such as tofacilitate meeting compendial values for reference products in theUnited States, and their equivalent in other countries. It would also bedesirable to provide time release dosage formats and methods that reducethe necessity of administering therapeutic compounds, drugs and otheragents invasively (e.g., such as by injection) and that permit thedelivery of medicants at a specific rate over time by oraladministration. These and other advantages of the present invention aredisclosed herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first, separate aspect of the present invention, a composition forthe oral administration of an active ingredient includes a film layerand an applied coating. The film layer is made from a composition havingan effective dissolution rate in the oral cavity. The applied coatingincludes a powder matrix having one or more active ingredients.

In a second, separate aspect of the present invention, a composition forthe oral administration of an active ingredient includes a film layerand an applied coating. The film layer is made from a composition havingan effective dissolution rate in the oral cavity. The applied coatingincludes one or more controlled-release active ingredients.

In a third, separate aspect of the present invention, an edible film fordelivering a controlled-release active ingredient formulation via theoral cavity includes an edible film having one or morecontrolled-release active ingredients.

In a fourth, separate aspect of the present invention, a method ofadministering an active ingredient to an individual includes the stepsof (a) providing an edible film in accordance with the present invention(b) applying the edible film to a mucous membrane of the individual.

In a fifth, separate aspect of the present invention, a method of makinga composition for the oral administration of an active ingredientincludes (a) forming an edible film; (b) applying a coating to saidedible film; wherein the coating includes a powder matrix having one ormore active ingredients.

In a sixth, separate aspect of the present invention, a method of makinga composition for the oral administration of a controlled-release activeingredient includes (a) forming an edible film; (b) applying a coatingto said edible film; wherein the coating includes a controlled-releaseactive ingredient.

In a seventh, separate aspect of the present invention, a method ofmaking a composition for the oral administration of a controlled-releaseactive ingredient includes forming an edible film wherein the ediblefilm includes a controlled-release active ingredient.

Other aspects of the invention are described and will become apparentfrom the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In order to fully understand the manner in which the above-reciteddetails and other advantages and objects according to the invention areobtained, a more detailed description of the invention will be renderedby reference to specific embodiments thereof.

The film dosage formats of the present invention provide an inexpensive,convenient and immediate method for delivery of a medicament without theundesirable aspects associated with certain oral or nasal deliverymethods, while providing versatility, safety and patient comfort.

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to delivery of drugs,nutrients and other compounds to a biological organism. Thin film dosageformats, including bi-layer film dosage formats, containingcontrolled-release formulations are disclosed. Thin film compositionscontaining controlled-release or micro-encapsulated drugs, nutrients andother compounds in accordance with the present invention find use, interalia, in meeting regulatory dissolution, bioavailability andbioequivalency requirements or for a time-release delivery effect of anactive ingredient to an organism. The invention further provides methodsfor processing microencapsulated active ingredients into a bi-layer thinfilm. The invention further pertains to edible films forcontrolled-release delivery of medicaments for treatment or preventionof disease or symptom associated with a disease or disorder.

A drug delivery system according to the present invention includes anedible film. In one embodiment, an edible film in accordance with thepresent invention includes a controlled-release active ingredient. Theedible film dissolves in the oral cavity of a user thereby delivering anappropriate dosage of the controlled-release active ingredient to theuser.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention acontrolled-release thin film dosage format includes a controlled-releaseactive ingredient on a carrier, wherein the carrier is an edible “thinfilm” or “strip.”

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention acontrolled-release thin film dosage format includes a controlled-releaseactive ingredient within a carrier, wherein the carrier is an edible“thin film” or “strip.”

Any effective edible “thin film” or “strip” may be used in accordancewith the present invention. Unless otherwise specified or required bythe context, the edible films of the present invention may bemanufactured in any effective manner. U.S. Patent Application Nos.20010022964, 20020131990, 20020019447, 20040096569, 20040191302 and U.S.Pat. Nos. 6,419,903, 3,931,146, 5,411,945, 6,010,716, 5,629,003,5,948,430, 6,177,096, 6,284,264, 5,700,478, 6,449,925, 4,072,551,4,083,741, all of which are incorporated herein by reference as if fullyset forth herein, describe methods for making edible films. These, andother methods known in the art, or described herein, may be used inaccordance with the present invention.

In one embodiment, an edible film according to the present inventioncomprises a bi-layer film which generally includes a first layer that isgenerally water soluble and that generally serves as a substrate layerand a second layer that is generally in the form of a powder, powdermatrix, dry coat, or the like. The dry coat layer may generally beapplied after partial curing of the substrate layer, affixing itself tothis substrate layer. See, e.g., United States Patent Application20040191302. While in accordance with this embodiment of the inventionone or more active ingredients may be contained in either layer,preferably the dry coat layer will contain one or more activeingredients. Said dry coat layer and similar layers are especiallyeffective with low dose active ingredients that require a very lowmoisture environment to remain stable.

The dry coat layer may include any effective ingredients. In oneembodiment, the dry coal layer includes substrates, and the like. Inanother embodiment, the dry coat layer includes partitioning agents, andthe like.

A film in accordance with the present invention is generally of a sizeadapted such that the film is fast dissolving. The weight per strip mayvary depending on the application. Generally, the strip may have anyeffective weight. For human consumption, for example, certain effectiveweights of the strip include from about 10 to about 400 mg, about 20 toabout 200 mg, about 30 to about 100 mg and about 50 mg.

Any effective dosing may be provided per strip. The maximum dosing perstrip will generally vary depending on the choice of active ingredientand the weight of the strip. In a 100 mg strip for human consumption,the active ingredient may generally be present in a range from about0.01 to about 50 mg, about 0.1 to about 25 mg, about 1 to about 20 mgand about 12.5 mg.

Active ingredients can be delivered in any effective state, including ina solid format, liquid format, or other format, including, for example,gels and pastes. Depending on dose levels, the active ingredientsgenerally can be oil or water soluble. Generally, active ingredientsthat are stable in aqueous systems are preferred. Active ingredientsthat are not stable in an aqueous system, however, though not preferred,may still be used. Preferably, the dosage per serving is 1-2 strips butmay vary depending on the size of the individual strip and other factorsknown to one skilled in the art.

Individual strips can be made in virtually any size. When intended forhuman consumption, the strips generally are 13/16 inch by 1¼ inchrectangles, and the thickness of the first layer is generally in a rangebetween about 0.040 to 1.1 micrometers. The thickness of the second drycoat layer is generally in the range of about 0.007 to 0.02 micrometers.The thickness of the particularly layers may be more or less than thevalues recited herein depending on factors known to one skilled in theart such as load and processing challenges.

Any standard manufacturing procedure known in the art may be used tomanufacture a film in accordance with the present invention. An exampleof such a process can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,948,430 to ZERBE etal.

Further to the production method described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,948,430 toZERBE et al., the production of a film according to the presentinvention can also include an aeration step. This step includes aeratingthe mass prior to application onto a substrate. Aeration is mostpreferably achieved through mechanical agitation, mechanical reaction,or carbon dioxide aeration. The aeration step produces a film havinggreater thickness and lower density than without aeration.

A further embodiment of the present invention includes an improved filmand method for making the same. The film can be used on living cells.Formation of the medicant-containing layer in the film does not requirea solvent and minimizes the likelihood of damage from heat and shear.The rate of dissolution or delivery of the medicant by the film can bereadily adjusted. The medicant-containing layer, while minimizing thelikelihood of heat induced medicant damage, permits heat to be utilizedto form a coating on the edible film. Hydrophilic components can bereadily incorporated in larger concentrations during production of themedicant-containing layer.

Further, the present invention includes an improved composition fordelivering a medicant in the oral cavity. The composition includes anapplied coating and a film layer.

An edible film in accordance with the present invention may be made fromany effective polymer, softener, filler, matrix, or other composition.The film has an acceptable dissolution rate in the oral cavity for aparticular thickness of film. For example, if the film has a thicknessof 50 microns, it may be desirable for the film to dissolve in the oralcavity within about fifteen seconds. Or it may be desirable for the filmto dissolve more slowly. By way of example, and not limitation, the filmcan be made with pullulan, modified starch, pectin, carageenan, amaltrodextrin, or alginate.

By way of example, and not limitation, the film layer can be producedusing a highly water-soluble polymer comprising a natural or syntheticwater-soluble polymer. The polymer preferably has good film moldability,produces a soft flexible film, and is safe for human consumption. Onesuch polymer can be a water-soluble cellulose derivative likehydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), methyl cellulose, hydroxypropylalkylcellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose or the salt of carboxymethylcellulose. Or, the polymer can comprise an acrylic acid copolymer or itssodium, potassium or ammonium salt. The acrylic acid copolymer or itssalt can be combined with methacrylic acid, styrene or vinyl type ofether as a comonomer, poly vinyl alcohol, poly vinyl pyrrolidone,polyalkylene blycol, hydroxy propyl starch, alginic acid or its salt,poly-saccharide or its derivatives such as trangacanth, bum gelatin,collagen, denatured gelatin, and collagen treated with succinic acid oranhydrous phthalic acid. By way of example, the following can beincluded in the powder matrix as adhesives: poorly water-solublecellulose derivatives including ethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate andbutyl cellulose; shellac; higher fatty acids including steric acid andpalmitic acid. The following can also, without limitation, be used toproduce the film layer: pullulan, maltodextrin, pectin, alginates,carrageenan, guar gum, other gelatins, etc.

The thickness of the film layer can vary as desired, but typically is inthe range of 0.01 mm to 3.00 mm, preferably 0.03 mm to 1.00 mm.

The applied coating in accordance with the present invention may be madefrom any effective composition. In one embodiment the applied coating isa powder matrix including one or more medicants or active ingredients.In one embodiment of the present invention the medicant or activeingredient is provided in a controlled-release format. The medicant oractive ingredient can be contained in a powder carrier, or can itself bea powder. The powder matrix is normally applied to the film layer toform a coating after the film layer has been manufactured.

Applying an active ingredient as a powder matrix ordinarily does notrequire the use of a solvent and the powder matrix may include, inaddition to the medicant or active ingredient, a variety of differentauxiliary compositions.

The powder matrix can be admixed in a fluidized bed, minimizing thegeneration of shear and heat. In a fluidized bed dry air or another gasis dispersed upwardly through a plurality of openings to suspend andintermix particulate. Any desired means can be used to admix powders.Another advantage of mixing or suspending powder in a fluidized bed isthat the dry air suspending the powder particles tends to preventagglomeration of the particles. The admixed powder matrix can also bestored (i.e., suspended) in the fluidized bed, prior to the applicationof the admixed powder matrix to the film layer. The powder matrix can beapplied in any desired manner, including sifting, screening,atomization, static, mechanical agitation, etc. For example, the powdermatrix can be atomized through a Nordson or similar static spray gunusing compressed air. One such gun creates a fine mist spray of powderparticles. The gun statically electrically charges the powder particlesso they adhere to a surface of the film layer that is receiving thepowder particles. Another process for applying the powder particles isto admix the particles with a liquid carrier to form a particle-liquidsolution. The particle-liquid solution is sprayed on the film layer. Theliquid carrier evaporates, leaving the powder particles on the film. Theliquid carrier preferably does not cause the powder particles todissolve in the liquid carrier.

One auxiliary composition that can be included in the powder matrix withthe medicant is a composition that dissolves slowly over a selectedperiod of time. Such an auxiliary dissolution control composition can beutilized to slow the release of medicant in the oral cavity. Examples ofthis kind of auxiliary composition are, without limitation, gel formingcompositions like carrageenan, gelatin, alginates, pullulan, PVP, andother hydrophilic materials; cyclodextrin; and, inert materials likecalcium and fibers. For example, the fibers can comprisecarboxymethylcellulose.

Another auxiliary composition the can be included in the powder matrixwith the medicant is an absorption composition that absorbs water orsaliva. Such an auxiliary absorption composition can be also be used toslow the release of medicant, and/or, to form a gel. The gel can, ifdesired, cause the strip to become chewable, similar to a very softjelly-bean. As used herein, an auxiliary composition is termed a gel if,when it is placed in the oral cavity or in contact with another sourceof bodily liquid, (1) the auxiliary composition absorbs at least fourtimes it weight of water or of saliva or other aqueous solution in aselected period of time, or (2) the auxiliary composition swells to atleast three times its thickness in a selected period of time. Theselected period of time can vary but preferably is from five seconds tofifteen minutes, most preferably five seconds to five minutes. Examplesof gel auxiliary compositions include, without limitation,carboxymethylcellulose, pectin, modified starches, gelatin, andcarrageenan. These compositions can be used alone or in combination. Oneadvantage of a gel is that it tends to slow the dissolution of themedicant in the oral cavity and to maintain the medicant in the oralcavity for a longer period of time.

A further auxiliary composition that can be included in the powdermatrix is a composition that, when placed in the oral cavity in contactwith the mucosa therein, adheres to the mucosa. The concentration ofsuch auxiliary adhesion compositions in the powder matrix can beadjusted to vary the length of time that the film adheres to the mucosaor to vary the adhesive forces generated between the film and mucosa.The auxiliary adhesion compositions adhere to the oral mucosa or tomucosa or tissue in other parts of the body, including the mouth, nose,eyes, vagina, and rectum. Examples of auxiliary adhesion compositionsinclude carboxymethycellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone(povidone), sodiumalginate, methyl cellulose, hydroxyl propyl cellulose,hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, polyethylene glycols, carbopol,polycarbophil, carboxyvinyl copolymers, propylene glycol alginate,alginic acid, methyl methacrylate copolymers, tragacanth gum, guar gum,karaya gum, ethylene vinyl cetate, dimenthylpolysiloxanes,polyoxyalkylene block copolymers, and hydroxyethylmethacrylatecopolymers. All examples of composition provided herein are givenwithout limiting the use or inclusion of other comparable orfunctionally equivalent compositions even though such comparable orfunctionally equivalent compositions are not listed.

Still another auxiliary composition that can be included in the powdermatrix is a flow composition that, when subjected to a curing process,flows to form a smoother or shinier coating on the exterior of the filmlayer. One preferred curing process is heating the film layer withpowder coating to a selected temperature above 76 degrees F. to causethe auxiliary flow composition to soften and flow. Examples of this kindof auxiliary composition are lipids (including various animal andvegetable fats) waxes, particularly low melting point waxes, andpolyols, particularly low melting point polyols that can be admixed inpowder form or than can included be in powder particles containing amedicant or other compositions. The medicant itself, may also have theproperty of flowing at an elevated temperature in excess of 76 degreesF. to form a smoother or shinier coating.

Other auxiliary compositions that can be included in the powder matrixinclude, without limitation, bulking agents, fillers, pigments(coloring), flavorings, scents, and sweeteners.

Combinations of auxiliary compositions can be included in the powdermatrix to achieve a desired function. For example, if it is desired toslow the dissolution of a medicant in the oral cavity, less solublefillers and fibers can be included in the powder matrix along with ahigh concentration of polymers that have a very high degree of abilityto adhere to the oral mucosa lining the mouth.

The dry powder matrix will normally contain a minor amount of retainedor bound water or other liquid, typically less than about ten percent byweight. The level of moisture in the powder matrix normally should notcause the powder particles to stick or adhere to one another duringintermixing of powders to form the powder matrix and during applicationof the powder matrix to the film layer.

Bulking agents that can be included in the powder matrix include, by wayof example and not limitation, avicel, sugar alchohols including manitoland sorbitol and xylitol and isomalt, lactic sugar, sorbitol dextrin,starch, anhydrous calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, magnesiumtrisilicate, silica, and amylase.

The size of particulate in the powder matrix can vary as desired, but ispreferably in the range of 10 mesh to 400 mesh or finer, preferably 40mesh to 300 mesh.

The powder matrix can be applied to one or both sides of the film layer.The film layer includes upper outer surface on the top of the film layerand includes a lower outer surface on the bottom of the film. The upperouter surface is generally parallel to the lower outer surface. The topof the film is generally parallel to the bottom of the film. Thethickness of the powder matrix layer can vary as desired, but ispreferably in the range of 0.001 mm to 3.00 mm, preferably 0.01 mm to1.00 mm.

If desired, after the powder matrix layer is applied to the film layer,an additional layer or layers can be applied over the powder matrixlayer to seal the powder matrix layer, slow the dissolution of themedicant from the powder matrix layer, or obtain other desirableresults.

If desired, multiple powder matrix layers can be applied to a filmlayer. A film layer can comprise a laminate of two or more layers.Methods for producing the film layer and incorporating plasticizers,bulking agents, taste modifying agents, pigments, etc. in the film layerare well known in the art and not described in detail herein. Since themedicant may be applied to the film layer in a dry powder form, thelikelihood of adverse interactions between the medicant and compositionscomprising the film layer is lessened.

Unless otherwise specified or required by the context, the term edibleas used herein is used interchangeably with the term orally consumable,and generally means that the article may be placed in the mouth, oralcavity, on the tongue, or the like, without significant detrimentaleffect to the recipient.

In certain embodiments the compositions and films of the presentinvention may contain at least one flavoring and/or odorant compositionthat renders the composition or film more palatable. Any effectiveflavor or odor may be used. The flavoring or odor agent or agents may bepresent in any effective amount, including, for example, in an amountranging from about 0.5 to 40 wt. %, 1 to 30 wt. %, 5 to 15 wt. %, 0.5 to15 wt. %. The flavorings may be natural or artificial, or combinationsthereof. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,890, which is incorporatedherein by reference. In one embodiment of the present invention aflavoring or odor agent or agents is present in the film layer. Inanother embodiment of the present invention a flavoring or odor agent oragents is present in the powder matrix layer. In yet another embodimentof the present invention a flavoring or odor agent or agents is presentin the film layer and the powder matrix layer.

Generally, active ingredients in the un-ionized form are more readilytransported across the mucosal membrane. Therefore, in accordance withone embodiment, the edible film of the present invention includes anagent for adjusting pH conditions to either maximize or minimize thepercentage of un-ionized active ingredient available in the oral cavity,such as to modulate the rate of mucosal absorption of active ingredient.Buffering agents are particularly important for those active ingredientthat partially ionize within the pH range of the mouth, such as weakacid and weak base drugs. Generally, buffering agents are more importantwhen hydrophilic active ingredient are used because those drugs usuallyhave lower mucosal permeability and dissolve more readily in salivawithin the mouth. In one embodiment, the film layer includes one or morebuffer forming agents, pH control agents, or both. In anotherembodiment, the powder matrix layer includes one or more buffer formingagents, pH control agents, or both. In yet another embodiment, bothlayers include one or more buffer forming agents, pH control agents, orboth.

Generally, permeation enhancers improve the permeability of activeingredients at the mucosal membrane. Therefore, in accordance with oneembodiment, the edible film of the present invention includes one ormore permeation enhancers to modulate the rate of mucosal absorption ofactive ingredient. In one embodiment, the film layer includes one ormore permeation enhancers. In another embodiment, the powder layerincludes one or more permeation enhancers. In yet another embodiment,both layers include one or more permeation enhancers. In accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention, the permeability of bothlipophilic and nonlipophilic drugs may be improved by using suitablepermeation enhancers.

Any effective permeation enhancers may be used in accordance with thepresent invention. An effective permeation enhancer will depend onseveral variables, including the active ingredient and the effectdesired. Generally used permeation enhancers include bile salts such assodium cholate, sodium glycocholate, sodium glycodeoxycholate,taurodeoxycholate, sodium deoxycholate, sodium lithocholatechenocholate, chenodeoxycholate, ursocholate, ursodeoxy-cholate,hyodeoxycholate, dehydrocholate, glycochenocholate, taurochenocholate,and taurochenodeoxycholate. Other permeation enhancers such as sodiumdodecyl sulfate (“SDS”), dimethyl sulfoxide (“DMSO”), sodium laurylsulfate, salts and other derivatives of saturated and unsaturated fattyacids, surfactants, bile salt analogs, derivatives of bile salts, orsuch synthetic permeation enhancers as described in U.S. Pat. No.4,746,508, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully setforth herein, may also be used.

In certain embodiments the compositions and films of the presentinvention may contain at least one ingredient or agent that ispharmaceutically active. Any effective pharmaceutically activeingredient or agent may be used in accordance with the presentinvention. The pharmaceutically active ingredient or agent may bepresent in any effective amount, including, for example, in an amountranging from about 0.5 to 40 wt. %, 1 to 30 wt. %, 5 to 15 wt. %, 0.5 to15 wt. %. In one embodiment, a film layer in accordance with the presentinvention includes one or more active ingredients. In anotherembodiment, a powder matrix layer in accordance with the presentinvention includes one or more active ingredients. In yet anotherembodiment, a film layer in accordance with the present invention and apowder matrix layer in accordance with the present invention include oneor more active ingredients.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention an activeingredient may be formulated in a controlled-release format. The activeingredient may be formulated in a controlled-release format in anyeffective manner. In one embodiment, controlled-release of an activeingredient is obtained by microencapsulation, or the like.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, one or moreactive ingredients in accordance with the present invention are providedin a controlled release dosage form. A controlled release dosage form inaccordance with the present invention is a dosage form wherein theactive ingredient release characteristics of the dosage form provide fora time course and/or location that are chosen to accomplish therapeuticor convenience objectives not offered by conventional dosage forms suchas a solution or an immediate release dosage form. Controlled-releasedosage forms include, for example fast-, medium-, slow, delayed-, andextended-release.

In one embodiment, one or more active ingredients in accordance with thepresent invention are provided in a delayed release form. In accordancewith the present invention, delayed release forms provide for therelease of one or more active ingredients at a time other thanimmediately following oral administration.

In one embodiment, one or more active ingredients in accordance with thepresent invention are provided in a delayed release form including anenteric coating. In accordance with the present invention, entericcoated forms provide for the release of one or more active ingredientsafter the dosage form has passed through the stomach.

In one embodiment, one or more active ingredients in accordance with thepresent invention are provided in a fast release form. In accordancewith the present invention, a fast release form provides for the releaseof one or more active ingredients after the active has been swallowedbut before it has passed through the stomach.

In one embodiment, one or more active ingredients in accordance with thepresent invention are provided in an extended release form. Inaccordance with the present invention, extended release forms make theactive ingredient available over an extended period after ingestion (forexample, between about 2 and about 48 hours, between about 4 and about24 hours, between about 10 and about 16 hours), by, for example,affecting the dissolution, absorption, or the like, of one or moreactive ingredients. This generally allows a reduction in dosingfrequency compared to a drug presented as a conventional dosage form(e.g., as a solution or an immediate release dosage form).

In one embodiment, one or more active ingredients in accordance with thepresent invention are provided in an immediate release form. Inaccordance with the present invention, immediate release forms make theactive ingredient available after dissolution of the film dosage formatwithout delaying or prolonging the dissolution or absorption of theactive ingredient.

In yet another embodiment, an edible film in accordance with the presentinvention includes an effective mixture of the differentcontrolled-release and/or immediate release (e.g., non-encapsulated)forms such as to obtain a desired dissolution, bioavailability and/orbioequivalence profile for one or more active ingredients.

In one embodiment, the film layer includes one or morecontrolled-release active ingredients. In another embodiment, the powdermatrix layer includes one or more controlled-release active ingredients.In yet another embodiment, both layers include one or morecontrolled-release active ingredients.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, acontrolled-release thin film dosage format includes a film of thepresent invention having an active ingredient formulation comprising amultiplicity (typically at least 10) of individual coated (e.g.,“microencapsulated”) units such that the individual units will be madeavailable from the formulation upon disintegration of the formulation inthe mouth of animals, including humans, who have an edible film of thepresent invention placed in their oral cavity. In one embodiment, thefilm layer includes a multiplicity of individual coated units. Inanother embodiment, the powder matrix layer includes a multiplicity ofindividual coated units. In yet another embodiment, both layers includea multiplicity of individual coated units.

In one embodiment the present invention provides an edible film whichdisintegrates in the mouth to make available a multiplicity ofindividual controlled-release units contained in the edible film. In oneembodiment, the active ingredient is made available in thegastrointestinal tract as the individual swallows the controlled-releaseunits. In another embodiment, the active ingredient is made available inthe oral cavity for absorbtion via the oral mucosa as the activeingredient is released from the controlled-release units while they arestill in the mouth. In other embodiments, combinations ofcontrolled-release units are included in the edible film. In yet otherembodiments, combinations of controlled-release units andimmediate-release active ingredient are included in the edible film.

When controlled release in accordance with the present invention isobtained by microencapsulating an active ingredient, the activeingredient may be coated by microencapsulation with any effectivenominal coating thickness. An effective nominal coating thickness willdepend on the active ingredient, the coating material, the propertiesdesired of the controlled-release formulation, and other such variables.In one embodiment, an effective nominal coating thickness isapproximately 50-250 microns.

In accordance with the present invention a controlled-release activeingredient may be provided in an effective particle size. An effectiveparticle size will generally depend on the active ingredient and thedesired properties of the controlled-release formulation. In oneembodiment, the active ingredient is provided in a particle size greaterthan about 100 microns. In one embodiment, the active ingredient isprovided in a particle size smaller than about 100 microns. In oneembodiment, the active ingredient is provided in a particle size smallerthan about 50 microns. In one embodiment, the active ingredient isprovided in a particle size smaller than about 25 microns. In oneembodiment, the active ingredient is provided in a particle size smallerthan about 15 microns.

Generally, although not necessarily, the particle size of themicrocapsules will be in the range of a few microns up to about athousand microns or more, with particle sizes in the approximately 30.mu.m to 800 .mu.m preferred, and particle sizes in the range ofapproximately 40 .mu.m to 250 .mu.m particularly preferred.

Controlled release of active ingredients can be of particular importancein connection with the coating of substances which exert a localirritating effect on the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract such aspotassium chloride, non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs, e.g.acetylsalicylic acid, propionic acid derivatives such as ibuprofene,lithium salts, and ferrous salts, because a prolonged period of releasefrom multiple-units minimizes the risk of local high concentration ofthe active substance due to the distribution of the units and thusgenerally provides for lower concentrations in a particular location. Inone embodiment of the present invention, controlled release of activeingredients decreases the incidence of systemic side effects. In anotherembodiment of the present invention, controlled release of activeingredients increases the plasma half-life of the active ingredient.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, controlledrelease active ingredient particles or droplets are coated with acoating material. Typical coating materials may include fats, waxes,triglycerides, fatty acids, fatty alcohols, ethoxylated fatty acids andalcohols, stearates, sugars, poly(ethylene glycol), certain metals,gums, hydrocolloids, latexes, and various polymer-based formulationssuch as polyethylene, ethyl cellulose, ethylene-vinyl acetate,ethylene-acrylic acid, polyamides, some enteric polymers, and the like.

In addition to obtaining controlled release properties, themicroencapsulation of active ingredients in accordance with the presentinvention provides other advantages, including decreasing the rate ofdegradation of active ingredients by moisture and oxidation, evaporationand sublimation. In addition, the active ingredient is protected fromreacting with other ingredients, and the unpleasant taste of some activeingredients may be effectively masked.

Sustained release formulations provide for prolonged action of an activeingredient in the gastro-intestinal tract by slow release over anextended period of time. Generally, one way of achieving sustainedrelease of a drug is to surround a core containing the active ingredientwith a layer of inert material, such as an enteric substance whichallows the surrounded core to pass unchanged through the stomach anddisintegrate in the intestinal tract.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the rate at which anactive ingredient will be released from a microcapsule may be modified,and will depend, inter alia, on the relative amount of capsular materialto amount of active ingredient encapsulated, the chemistry of the activeingredient being encapsulated, the environment into which themicrocapsule is being placed, temperature of the environment and thenature or chemical composition of the capsular material. The rate ofrelease of active ingredient will also be determined by the relativeratios of active ingredient to capsular material, the type of capsularmaterial, the porosity of the capsular material, the biodegradability ofthe capsular material, and other factors.

Generally, when an active ingredient is microencapsulated forcontrolled-release, it may be microencapsulated in any effectivematerial. For example, controlled-release microcapsules may be preparedfrom ethylcellulose, poly-(D,L)-lactide and other polymers. See, e.g.,Kawashima, Y., Lin, S. Y., Kasai, A. et al. Drug Dev. Ind. Pharm. USA10, 467-479 (1984), Benita, S., Benoit, J. P., Puisieur, F. and Thies,C. J. Pharm. Sci. 73, 1721-1724 (1984), Bechtel, W. Radiology 161,601-604 (1986), Tice et al., EPO 0302582, Feb. 8, 1989, all of which arehereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the active ingredient ismicroencapsulated with ethylcellulose. Processes for the preparation ofmicrocapsules ensuring the controlled-release of various classes ofdrugs by using ethylcellulose are described, e.g., in the U.S. Pat. Nos.3,155,590, 3,341,416, 3,488,418, 3,531,418, 3,524,910, 3,703,576,3,891,570, 3,909,444, 3,951,851, 4,107,072, 4,389,331, 4,411,933 as wellas in the published British patent application No. 2,002,318, publishedEuropean patent applications Nos. 38,973 and 99,109, Wright, K. C.,Wallace, S., Mosier, B., Mosier, D. J. Microencapsulation 5(1), 13-20(1988), Wright, K. C., Charnsangavej, C., Wallace, S., Chuang, V. P.,Savaraj, N. Cardiovasc. Internat. Radiol. 7, 294-298 (1984), all ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety as if fullyset forth herein.

An active ingredient according to the present invention may bemicroencapsulated for controlled-release in any effective manner. Forexample, microcapsules may be prepared by simple or complexcoacervation, interfacial cross-linking and interfacial polymerization,mechanical methods, polymer dispersion, matrix encapsulation, solventevaporation, solvent extraction, spray drying, hot meltmicroencapsulation (congealing), supercritical fluid and the like.

There are many different ways to microencapsulate drugs producingsustained-release. Many of these methods can be found in “Microcapsulesand Microencapsulation Techniques”, 1976, M. H. Goucho, andMicrocapsules and other Capsules, 1979, also by M. H. Goucho, “AqueousPolymeric Coatings For Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms”, 1989, MarcelDekker, Inc., all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Most ofthe methods of producing sustained-release microparticles can beclassified into either physical or chemical systems. Physical methodsinclude such techniques as pan coating, gravity-flow, centrifuge, andthe Wurster Process.

The Wurster Process employs a high velocity air stream that is directedthrough a cylindrical fluid bed in which the particles are suspended inthe air. A coating is sprayed onto the suspended particles, and theparticles flow out the top of the cylinder and descend back to the layerof fluid. The flow of air-dries the coating, so that successive layerscan be applied repeatedly by further spraying. Variables that controlthe process include the number of cycles, temperature, pressure, andhumidity, and can be used to provide the desired coating composition andthickness.

Fluid bed granulation or coating is one of the most common techniquesused at the present time for small particle sustained-release. Fluidizedbed equipment is available as “top spray”, “bottom spray” and“tangential-spray”. The core active ingredient is first preheated in thevessel to about 30° C. with hot air, placing the particles insuspension. The floating particles are then sprayed with an aqueoussuspension to provide a coating, while drying at the same time. Inlettemperature, spray rate, and air throughput must be adjusted to provideoptimum end product.

Chemical methods of microencapsulation include, for example,coacervation or phase separation. These techniques involves dissolvingthe membrane forming polymer in a suitable solvent or vehicle and thedrug to be dissolved is suspended in this solution and kept underagitation The coating precipitates onto a droplet of the drug, similarto crystallization.

The coacervation method is based on salting out or phase separation froma homogeneous polymer solution of hydrophilic polymers into smalldroplets of a polymer-rich, second liquid phase, rather than into solidaggregates. In what is know as “simple” coacervation, an aqueous polymersolution (e.g., gelatin or carboxymethylcellulose) is partiallydehydrated (or desolvated) by adding a strongly hydrophilic substance(e.g., sodium sulfate) or a water-miscible, non-solvent (e.g., ethanol,acetone, dioxane, isopropanol, or propanol), such that the water-solublepolymer is concentrated in water to form the polymer-rich phase. Ifwater-insoluble active ingredient particles are present as a suspensionor as an emulsion, the polymer-rich phase is formed on the activeingredient particle surface to form a capsule under suitable conditions.In “complex” coacervation, the polymer-rich complex (coacervate) phaseis induced by interaction between two dispersed hydrophilic polymers(colloids) of opposite electric charges, with the pH of the medium beingused to control the charges of the polymers.

The first polymeric material in the coacervation process is generallyone that (1) is effective to microencapsulate the active ingredient uponcompletion of the process, (2) is substantially water-insoluble, and hasappreciable solubility in the selected nonpolar organic solvent, i.e.,the solubility in the selected nonpolar organic solvent is such that thephase separation-coacervation process can be carried out in thatsolvent, (3) provides for effective taste masking of the drug, if thatis the goal desired; and (4) prevents immediate release of themicroencapsulated drug in the mouth. Ethyl cellulose is generallypreferred as the first polymeric material, although other polymers canbe used as well, including, for example, cellulose acetate phthalate,cellulose acetate butyrate, polymethacrylates, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate; carboxymethyl ethylcellulose; and polylactic acidand the like.

The second polymeric material in the coacervation process is generallyone that is effective in assisting phase separation of the firstpolymeric material in the aforementioned process. Generally polyethylenemay be used. However other polymers may be used as well, including, forexample, polyisobutylene, ethylenevinyl acetate, and the like. Stillother polymers which may serve to promote phase separation may also beused, and such polymers will be known to or may be readily deduced bythose skilled in the art. The amount of second polymeric material shouldbe selected so as to be at least minimally sufficient to promote phaseseparation.

Other materials may also be included in the coacervation process,including, for example, deagglomeration agents, e.g., agents effectiveto reduce microcapsule aggregation (e.g., colloidal silica), colorants(e.g., titanium dioxide, dyes suitable for food such as those known asF.D. & C. dyes, etc.), flavoring and/or sweetening agents, and the like.

When the active ingredient is microencapsulated by solvent evaporationand solvent extraction, an active ingredient in soluble or dispersedform is added to the polymer solution, and the mixture is emulsified inan aqueous phase containing a surface-active agent, such as poly(vinylalcohol). Volatile organic solvents may be utilized for dissolvingwater-insoluble polymers, such as PLGA. Commonly used organic solventsare methylene chloride, ethyl acetate, and methyl ethyl ketone. A doubleemulsion process is commonly used for producing microspheres containingwater-soluble active ingredients, including protein active ingredients.Both solid/oil/water (s/o/w) and water/oil/water (w/o/w) systems may beused depending on the type of active ingredient. In the solventevaporation method, the organic solvent is evaporated by raising thetemperature and/or by applying vacuum. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No.3,523,906. In the solvent extraction method, the organic solventdiffuses into the water phase to make emulsion droplets into solidpolymer microspheres. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,389,330. In bothmethods, the continuous phase can be non-miscible oils. The organicsolvent conventionally employed in this method is a chlorinatedhydrocarbon, such as methylene chloride, of which a residual amount isstrictly controlled under 600 ppm to avoid known toxicities.

Hot melt microencapsulation or congealing, involves mixing a solidactive ingredient or liquid active ingredient with a polymer melted athigh temperatures. The active ingredient has to be stable at the polymermelting temperature. The mixture is suspended in a non-miscible solventwith continuous stirring at a temperature several degrees above themelting point of the polymer. After the emulsion is stabilized, thesystem is cooled until the polymer particles solidify. Interfacialpolymerization involves the polymerization of monomers at the interfaceof two immiscible substances to form a membrane. Accordingly, forinterfacial cross-linking, the polymer generally possesses functionalgroups that can be cross-linked by ions or multi-functional molecules.

Spray drying may generally be accomplished by dissolving or suspendingan active ingredient in a suitable (either aqueous or non-aqueous)solvent that contains dissolved polymer materials. The active ingredientcan be dissolved or suspended in the solvent. Alternatively, the activeingredient solution can be emulsified in the polymer solution. Thesolution is atomized and microspheres are dried by a heated carrier gas.The microsphere size is controlled by the rate of spraying, the feedrate of the drug-polymer solution, the nozzle size, and temperature inthe drying and cooling chambers.

In another embodiment of the present invention, an active ingredient isencapsulated for slow-release according to the process disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 4,572,833, which is hereby incorporated by reference as iffully set forth herein.

In another embodiment of the present invention, an active ingredient isencapsulated for slow-release according to the process disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 4,316,884, which is hereby incorporated by reference as iffully set forth herein.

In accordance with another embodiment, microparticles aremicroencapsulated by warming and then cooling the particles while theparticles are dispersed in specific immiscible liquids, one of which isa solvent for cellulose ether when warm but not when cool. This processis generally performed using three immiscible phases:

(1) a liquid mixture of which a major part by volume is a low-viscosityliquid which acts as a solvent for the cellulose ether at warmtemperatures and a minor part by volume of a polymer which acts to forcethe cellulose ether out of solution at cool temperature;

(2) A cellulose ether which will form a solid protective coating, isincompatible with the polymer of (1) but is soluble in the low-viscosityliquid solvent (1) at warm temperature, and which with the solvent formsa separate phase (the cellulose ether being used in an amount such thatthe warm solution has a viscosity of from about 4,000 to about 10,000centipoises and may by agitation be dispersed as minute liquid entitiesready to coat the active ingredient particles); and

(3) micro-particles of the active ingredient, in an effective size,which are immiscible with (1) or (2) but are wettable by the warmsolution of cellulose ether in the low-viscosity solvent.

The process may generally require that cellulose ethers which conform tocertain specific criteria be used to prepare microencapsulated activeingredients as described. First, the cellulose ether generally must becapable, when in warm solution, of wetting the active ingredientparticles so as to form a complete liquid shield around the particleswhich when cooled solidify without retention of the solvent. Second, thecellulose ether generally must be soluble when warmed in thelow-viscosity liquid solvent, capable of forming a separate phase in thewarm solvent in the presence of the polymer and insoluble in the coolsolvent in the presence of the polymer. Typical of the cellulose etherswhich fit the above criteria are ethyl cellulose and ethyl hydroxyethylcellulose.

The liquid mixture used to prepare the microencapsulated activeingredient will contain two essential ingredients: (1) a major part of alow-viscosity liquid, which will act as a solvent for the celluloseether at warm temperatures and form a separate phase containing thecellulose ether and (2) a minor part of a polymeric ingredient withwhich the cellulose ether is immiscible and which forces the celluloseether out of solution at cool temperatures. Typical of the low-viscosityliquids which can be used are cyclohexane and toluene. Typical of thepolymeric ingredients are polybutadiene and butyl rubber.

In another embodiment of the present invention, an active ingredient maybe encapsulated according to the process disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,238,714, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully setforth herein. Briefly, non-aggregated microcapsules having differentmean diameters, including, for example, 1.mu.m and 100 .mu.m, can beprepared by combining a polymer in a solvent with a solution of anontoxic emulsifier and the active ingredient. The final size of themicrocapsules will generally be larger the slower the stirring. Forexample, when the mixture is emulsified by stirring at a high speed ofapproximately 1500 rpms or by sonication at approximately 20 Khz andstirring at 500 rpms, microcapsules of about 1.mu.m may be obtained.Conversely, when the mixture is emulsified by stirring at a slow speed(approximately 350 rpm), microcapsules of about 100.mu.m may beobtained. The solution is monitored for microcapsule formation, at whichpoint the solvent is the evaporated and the microcapsules collectedafter complete evaporation of the organic solvent, preferably byfiltration.

Generally, an active ingredient according to the present invention maybe microencapsulated for fast-release in any effective manner. Forexample, for active ingredients that do not dissolve in cyclohexaneethylcellulose-coated fast-release microcapsules may be prepared bymixing ethylcellulose, an anionic surface-active agent and the activeingredient to be microencapsulated together in cyclohexane at roomtemperature, heating the system to about 80° C. and stirring for 30 to120 minutes in order to dissolve the ethylcellulose, cooling the systemdown to room temperature (20° to 30° C.) under constant stirring therebyforming a microcapsule suspension, removing the microcapsules formed byfiltration and drying them. Alternatively, the anionic surface-activeagent can be added after the microencapsulation, or part of the anionicsurface-active agent can be added before and the other part of it isadded after microencapsulation. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,192,552,which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety as if fullyset forth herein.

In another embodiment, release of an active ingredient from themicrocapsule in the mouth is limited, but rather occurs very shortlythereafter, and is virtually complete within a matter of minutes. Anencapsulation to achieve this result is disclosed, for example, in U.S.Pat. No. 6,139,865, which is hereby incorporated by reference as iffully set forth herein. More specifically, the microcapsules may beprepared by first admixing the selected active ingredient, a firstpolymeric material to serve as the coating, and a second polymericmaterial to promote phase separation, in a nonpolar organic solvent.Mixing is preferably conducted along with stirring or agitation usingany number of conventional means. The solvent should be one in which thepolymeric materials are soluble at higher temperatures, i.e.,temperatures generally on the order of 70° C. or higher, but insolubleat ambient temperature; also, the active ingredient should besubstantially insoluble in the solvent at all temperatures used in themanufacturing process. After admixture of these initial components, thesuspension so formed is heated for a time period and to a temperaturesufficient to dissolve the first and second polymeric materials in thesolvent. In addition, stirring is preferably continued at apredetermined stirring rate; a suitable stirring rate may be readilydetermined by one skilled in the art. The temperature is at or below theboiling point of the solvent; generally the components will be heated toa temperature of 70° or higher, and preferably to a temperature of atleast about 75° C. However, care must be taken not to heat to atemperature which could degrade the drug. Cooling is then effected at arate and to a temperature sufficient to effect phase separation of thefirst polymeric material and microencapsulation of the drug therein,forming a dispersion of microencapsulated drug. It will be appreciatedby those skilled in the art that the cooling rate can be varied tooptimize properties of the microcapsules, e.g., with respect toaggregation, flowability and release profile. The solvent and secondpolymeric material are then removed by decanting, filtering or the like,followed by washing with solvent to remove any traces of the secondpolymeric material, and then drying, again at a temperature not so highthat the drug or coating material could be adversely affected. Drying isusually although not necessarily conducted for at least about 6 hours,and longer for large-scale batches, at a temperature generally in therange of approximately ambient temperature to 60° C. Drying may or maynot be conducted under reduced pressure.

A variation on the aforementioned procedure provides an alternativemethod which may be used for heat-sensitive active ingredients. Thisalternative procedure involves dissolving the first and second polymericmaterials in the selected nonpolar organic solvent, without addition ofactive ingredient, followed by heating to a temperature effective todissolve the polymers. The active ingredient is then added, the mixtureis then allowed to cool, and the remainder of the procedure describedabove is carried out.

In accordance with another embodiment, an active ingredient is presentin a hydrogel microsphere as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,731,005, whichis hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

In accordance with another embodiment, an active ingredient may bemicroencapsulated by solvent exchange. Any effective method may be usedto microencapsulate an active ingredient pursuant to the presentinvention by solvent exchange. For example, an active ingredient,particularly a polypeptide or protein active ingredient, may bemicroencapsulated as described in U.S. Patent No. 6,599,627, which ishereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

In accordance with another embodiment, an active ingredient may bemicroencapsulated with an exterior coating including a nonlamellarmaterial such as a nonlamellar crystalline material, a nonlamellaramorphous material, or a nonlamellar semi-crystalline material. Forexample, an active ingredient may be microencapsulated in this manner asdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,638,621 and 6,989,195 which are herebyincorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

It will be appreciated that the effect of the active ingredient can beoptimized through the use of the present invention. According to thepresent invention, the active ingredient may be delivered in smallerdoses over a period of time rather than all at once, and theadministration rate can thus be better adjusted.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides methods andcompositions for the transmucosal administration of a drug to a patientin order to rapidly induce a desired systemic effect.

The micro-encapsulation of drugs and delivery of such drugs via a thinfilm allow for the fast dissolution while offering a convenient, compactsize and discrete administration of a drug that is normally onlyavailable in a pill or capsule dosage formats.

Any effective active ingredient or medicant may be used in accordancewith the present invention. An effective active ingredient or medicantin accordance with the present invention is any composition that whenadministered to a subject, achieves a desired physical, physiological,metabolic, pharmocologic, psychiatric, psychological, diagnostic, or thelike, result. Desired results may include, for example, withoutlimitation: diagnosing, preventing, ameliorating and/or treating acondition; maintaining or improving the well being of the subject;maintaining or improving the performance of the subject; and any otherresults that may be obtained by the administration of a composition to asubject. Unless otherwise required by the context, the terms activeingredient and medicant are used interchangeably and refer to the activeingredient or medicant in any form, including in a controlled release orimmediate release form.

Nonlimiting examples of pharmaceutical active ingredients suitable foruse herein include ace-inhibitors; acne drugs; alkaloids; amino acids;anabolic drugs; analgesics; anesthetics; angiogenesis inhibitors;antacids; antiallergenics; anti-anginaldrugs; antiarrhythmics;antiarthritics; anti-asthmatics; antibiotics; anti-cholesterolemics;anticoagulants; anti-convulsants; anti-depressants; antidiabetics;anti-diarrhea preparations; antiemetics; antiepileptics; antihistamines;anti-hypertensive drugs; anti-infectives; anti-inflammatory agents;anti-lipid agents; anti-manics; anti-nauseants, anti-stroke agents;antiobesity drugs; antiparasitics; antipsychotics; antipyretics;antispasmodic agents; antithrombotic drugs; antitumor agents;anti-tussives; anti-uricernic drugs; anti-viral agents; anxiolyticagents; appetite stimulants; appetite suppressants; awakening agents;beta blocking agents; botanical substances; bronchodilators;cardiotonics; cardiovascular agents; chelating agents; chemotherapeuticagents; cholecystokinin antagonists; cognition activators;contraceptives; coronary dilators; cough suppressants; creatinemonohydrate; decongestants; dermatological agents; diabetes agents;dietary supplements; diuretics; emollients; enzymes; erectiledysfunction drugs; erythropoietic drugs; expectorants; fertility agents;fungicides; gastro-intestinal agents; growth regulators; hemostats;hormone replacement agents; hormones; hyperglycemic agents; hypnotics;hypoglycemic agents; hypotensives; immunosuppressants; L-arginine;laxatives; L-camitine; migrain treatments; mineral supplements;mucolytics; muscle relaxants; narcotics; neuroleptics; neuromuscularblocking agents; neuromuscular drugs; non-sedating antihistamines;NSAIDS; nutritional additives; peripheral vaso-dilators; polypeptides;prostaglandins; psychoneurotropic agents; psychotropics; renininhibitors; respiratory stimulants; salts; sedatives; selectivephosphodiesterase enzyme inhibitors; sexual hormones; steroids;stimulants; sympatholytics; thyroid hormones; thyroid preparations;tranquilizers; uterine relaxants; vaso-constrictors; vasodilators;vasopressors; vertigo agents; vitamin supplements; vitamins, includingfor example, vitamin A, B family, C, D, E, K; wound healing agents; andthe like.

Specific formulations of said ingredients may be selected by one ofordinary skill in the art depending on the specific application andother factors such as the desired effect, dosage, rate of delivery ofthe active ingredient, and the like.

According to an embodiment film dosage formats in accordance with thepresent invention provide a dissolution rate for one or more activeingredients that is comparable to that of a reference listed drug. Inone embodiment, a film in accordance with the present invention isformulated such that one or more active ingredients have an effectivedissolution rate when compared to a reference listed drug. Thedissolution rate of a film dosage format in accordance with the presentinvention may be obtained in any effective manner. Generally,dissolution testing may be conducted on 12 individual dosage units forthe film dosage format in accordance with the present invention and thereference drug product. The potential for pH dependence of drug releasefrom a modified release drug product is well recognized. Accordingly,multipoint dissolution profiles generally are obtained usingdiscriminating agitation speed and medium. A surfactant may be usedunder appropriate circumstances. Early sampling times of 1, 2, and 4hours are generally included in the sampling schedule to check forpremature release of the drug (dose dumping) from the formulation. Seecurrent United States Pharmacopeia (USP) 23 NF 18, sections 711 and 724,for general dissolution requirements. Generally, any effectivedissolution apparatus may be used, including, for example: USP 23Apparatus 1 (rotating basket), USP 23 Apparatus 2 (rotating paddle), USP23 Apparatus 3 (reciprocating cylinder), USP 23 Apparatus 4(flow-through cell), USP 23 Apparatus 7 (reciprocating disk). Generally,any effective rotation speed may be used. The speed may vary dependingon the apparatus used and the test to be performed, but will generallybe 50, 100, and 150 rpm (basket) 50, 75 and 100 rpm (paddle). While thedissolution test may be conducted at any effective temperature,generally the test will be conducted at the temperature of the subjectfor which the active is intended. For example, for humans thetemperature will generally be about 37±0.5 C. The dissolution test maybe conducted in any effective volume, generally the test may beconducted in about 500-1000 mL. The dissolution test may be conducted inany effective media, generally the test may be conducted in an aqueousmedia at various pH. The sampling schedule may be effective interval.Generally the sampling schedule may include, for example at 1, 2, and 4hours, and every two hours thereafter until either 80% of the activeingredient is released or an asymptote is reached. Generally contentuniformity testing of the film dosage format lot may be performed asdescribed in USP 23.

In addition to application/compendial release requirements, multipointdissolution profiles may be obtained in three other media, for example,in water, 0.1N HCl, and USP buffer media at pH 4.5, and 6.8 for a filmdosage format in accordance with the present invention. The results maythen be compared to a reference drug product. Sampling may be performedat any effective interval, including, for example, at 1, 2, and 4 hoursand every two hours thereafter until either 80% of the drug from thedrug product is released or an asymptote is reached. A surfactant may beused under appropriate circumstances.

In one embodiment, in addition to application/compendial releaserequirements, delayed release dissolution tests may be performed in 0.1N HCl for 2 hours (acid stage) followed by testing in USP buffer media,in the range of pH 4.5-7.5 (buffer stage) under standard(application/compendial) test conditions and two additional agitationspeeds using the application/compendial test apparatus (three additionaltest conditions). If the application/compendial test apparatus is therotating basket method (Apparatus 1), a rotation speed of 50, 100, and150 rpm may be used, and if the application/compendial test apparatus isthe rotating paddle method (Apparatus 2), a rotation speed of 50, 75,and 100 rpm may be used.

Multipoint dissolution profiles are generally obtained during the bufferstage of testing. Adequate sampling may generally be performed, forexample, at 15, 30, 45, 60, and 120 minutes (following the time fromwhich the dosage form is placed in the buffer) until either 80% of thedrug is released or an asymptote is reached.

Dissolution profiles may be compared using any effective method. In oneembodiment, the following equation defines a similarity factor (f₂):f₂=50 LOG {[1+1/n Σn_(t=1) (R_(t)−T_(t))²)]^(0.5)×100} whereLOG=logarithm to base 10, n=number of sampling time points, Σ=summationover all time points, R_(t)=dissolution at time point t of the referencedrug product, T_(t)=dissolution at time point t of the film dosageformat of the present invention.

For comparison of multipoint dissolution profiles obtained in multiplemedia, similarity testing should be performed using pairwise dissolutionprofiles (e.g., for the film dosage format of the present invention andthe reference drug product) obtained in each individual medium. It isrecommended that only one point past the plateau of the profiles be usedin calculating the f₂ value. A correction for a lag time prior tosimilarity testing should not be performed unless justified.

Any effective f₂ value may be used to indicate the similarity of thedissolution profile of two dosage formats. Generally an f₂ value between50 and 100 suggests the two dissolution profiles are similar. However anf₂ value less than 50 does not necessarily indicate lack of similarityif the value may be explained by other factors. Generally, the averagedifference at any dissolution sampling time point should not be greaterthan about 15% between the film dosage format of the present inventionand the reference drug product dissolution profiles. The reference forthis comparison should represent an average dissolution profile derivedfrom an effective number of batches of the products, for example, threeor more recent batches of the reference drug product.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the dissolution dataobtained under the application/compendial dissolution testing conditions(media, agitation, etc.), on the film dosage format of the presentinvention is within the application/compendial specifications.

Dissolution profiles may also compared using other methods, including,for example, model independent or model dependent methods. See, e.g.,FDA, Oral Extended (Controlled) Release Dosage Forms In VivoBioequivalence and In Vitro Dissolution Testing, September 1993; FDA,Guidance for Dissolution Testing of Immediate Release Solid OralProducts, 1997; FDA, Guidance for the Development, Evaluation andApplication of In Vitro/In Vivo Correlations for Extended Release SolidOral Dosage Forms, 1997; Moore, J. W. and H. H. Flanner, “MathematicalComparison of Dissolution Profiles,” Pharmaceutical Technology, 6:64-74,1996; Skelly, J. P., et al., “Workshop Report: Scaleup of OralExtended-Release Dosage Forms,” Pharmaceutical Research, 10(12):1800-1805, 1993, all of which are incorporated herein by reference as iffully set forth herein.

According to an embodiment film dosage formats in accordance with thepresent invention provide a rate and extent of absorption of one or moreactive ingredients that is comparable to that of a reference listeddrug. Bioavailability and bioequivalence in accordance with the presentinvention may be obtained in ane effective manner. See, e.g., FDAGuidance for Industry Bioavailability and Bioequivalence Studies forOrally Administered Drug Products—General Considerations, which ishereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. In oneembodiment, a film in accordance with the present invention isformulated such that one or more active ingredients have effectivebioavailability and/or bioequivalence with a reference listed drug. Inaccordance with the present invention, an in vivo bioavailability and/orbioequivalence study may be performed in any effective manner. Thedesign of a study may vary depending on the drug and dosage form. In oneembodiment, the study design includes a single dose, two-treatment,two-period crossover with adequate washout period between the two phasesof the study, with equal numbers of subjects being randomly assigned toeach of the two dosing sequences. Generally, the number of subjectsenrolled in the bioequivalence study should be determined statisticallyto account for the intrasubject variability and to meet the currentbioequivalence interval. Generally each subject should receive thefollowing two treatments: Treatment 1: edible film in accordance withthe present invention. Treatment 2: reference listed drug. Following anovernight fast of at least 10 hours, subjects should receive eitherTreatments 1 or 2 above with 240 mL water. Food should not be alloweduntil 4 hours after dosing. Water may be allowed after the first hour.Subjects should be served standardized meals beginning at 4 hours duringthe study. Generally prior to and during each study phase, water may beallowed ad libitum except for 1 hour before and after drugadministration. Generally the subject should be served standardizedmeals and beverages at specified times. Generally no alcohol orxanthine- or caffeine-containing foods and beverages should be consumedfor 48 hours prior to each study period and until after the last bloodsample is collected. Blood samples should generally be collected insufficient volume for analysis of parent drug and active metabolite(s),if any. The sampling times should be such that it should be able tocapture the C_(max) and T_(max) during the absorption period. Samplingshould be carried out for at least three terminal elimination half-livesfor both parent drug and active metabolite(s). Whole blood, plasma orserum, whichever is appropriate for the analytes, should be harvestedpromptly and samples should be frozen at −20 C or −70 C to maintainsample stability. The assay methodology selected should ensurespecificity, accuracy, interday and intraday precision, linearity ofstandard curves, and adequate sensitivity, recovery, and stability ofthe samples under the storage and handling conditions associated withthe analytical method. From the plasma drug concentration-time data,AUC_(0-t), AUC_(0-inf), C_(max), T_(max), K_(el) and t_(1/2) should beestimated. Analysis of variance appropriate for a crossover design onthe pharmacokinetic parameters using the general linear modelsprocedures of SAS or an equivalent program should be performed, withexamination of period, sequence and treatment effects. The 90%confidence intervals for the estimates of the difference between thetest and reference least squares means for the pharmacokineticparameters (AUC_(0-t), AUC_(0-inf), C_(max)) should be calculated, usingthe two one-sided t-test procedure.

In another embodiment, a film dosage format of the present invention isobtained pursuant to a process including an in vitro/in vivocorrelation. In one embodiment, a process for developing an in vitro/invivo correlation is to (1) develop film dosage formats with differentrelease rates, such as slow, medium, fast, or a single release rate ifdissolution is condition independent; (2) obtain in vitro dissolutionprofiles and in vivo plasma concentration profiles for these film dosageformats; (3) estimate the in vivo absorption or dissolution time courseusing an appropriate deconvolution technique for each film dosageformats and subject (e.g., Wagner-Nelson, numerical deconvolution).These three steps establish the in vitro/in vivo correlation model.Alternative approaches to developing in vitro/in vivo correlations arepossible.

Generally a correlation is estimated by a two-stage procedure includingdeconvolution followed by comparison of the fraction of drug absorbed tothe fraction of drug dissolved. A correlation of this type is generallylinear and represents a point-to-point relationship between in vitrodissolution and the in vivo input rate (e.g., the in vivo dissolution ofthe drug from the dosage form). In a linear correlation, the in vitrodissolution and in vivo input curves may be directly superimposable ormay be made to be superimposable by the use of a scaling factor.Nonlinear correlations may also be appropriate.

In an alternative embodiment, a convolution procedure models therelationship between in vitro dissolution and plasma concentration in asingle step. Plasma concentrations predicted from the model and thoseobserved are compared directly. For these methods, a reference treatmentis desirable, but the lack of one does not preclude the ability todevelop an in vitro/in vivo correlation.

Generally the models should predict the entire in vivo time course fromthe in vitro data. In this context, the model refers to the relationshipbetween in vitro dissolution of a controlled release film dosage form ofthe present invention and an in vivo response such as plasma drugconcentration or amount of drug absorbed. In one embodiment, a filmdosage form of the present invention is formulated by comparing themodel to that of a reference drug.

The following examples are provided by way of illustration, and notlimitation, of the invention.

EXAMPLE I

As noted, any desired prior art process and/or materials can be utilizedto produce a film layer. The film layer may be formed, for example asfollows. 3.4 g of hydropropyl cellulose and 0.4 ml of macrogol-400(polyethylene glycol) are dissolved in 60 g of ethyl alcohol to producea cellulose-alcohol solution. Nine milliliters of distilled watercontaining 90 mg of dissolved predonisolone is added to thecellulose-alcohol solution to produce a film forming composition. Thefilm forming composition is poured into a film molding frame placed on ateflon plate. The area of teflon plate circumscribed by the frame is 9.5square centimeters. The film forming composition is dried to form a filmlayer. The film layer includes an upper outer surface on top of the filmlayer and includes a lower outer surface on the bottom of the filmlayer. The lower outer surface is generally parallel to the upper outersurface. The film layer has a thickness of 40 microns.

EXAMPLE II

Sildenafil citrate, tadalafil, verdanafil, desloratadine, loratadine,loperamide (active ingredients) are microencapsulated such as to exhibitdifferent release rates, such as slow, medium and fast, and alsoprovided as a powder for immediate release.

EXAMPLE III

Four batches of powder matrix are prepared by individually combining theslow, medium, fast, and immediate release sildenafil withcarboxymethylcellulose powder (as an adhesive), modified food starch (asa bulking agent), carrageenan (as adhesive), sucralose (intensesweetener) and talc (as flow/partitioning agent) in a fluidized bedcontainer to form a powder matrix. Each of the four batches of powdermatrix is atomized through a Nordson or similar static spray gun usingcompressed air onto a film layer, to produce four different batches ofsildenafil film dosage formats (slow, medium, fast, and immediaterelease). See, for example Nordson Corporation's KINETIC™ spray systems(www.nordson.com). The gun creates a fine mist spray of powderparticles. The gun statically electrically charges the powder particlesso they adhere to the upper surface of the film layer. If desired thepowder matrix can also be applied to the lower or bottom surface of thefilm layer. The powder matrix layer is applied such that each filmdosage format will have about 25 mg sildenafil. The four batches ofsildenafil film dosage format are then individually tested fordissolution, bioavailability and bioequivalence and the results arecompared to the reference compound. If necessary the process is repeatedwith different controlled release formulations to achieve a desiredresult.

EXAMPLE IV

Six batches of powder matrix are prepared by combining the slow, medium,fast, and immediate release tadalafil in different ratios, includingbatch 1:100% immediate release; batch 2:50% immediate release 50% fastrelease; batch 3:50% fast release 50% medium release; batch 4:50% mediumrelease 50% slow release; batch 5:25% immediate release 25% fast release25% medium release 25% slow release; batch 6:33% fast release 33% mediumrelease 34% slow release. Each of the six batches is then individuallymixed with carboxymethylcellulose powder (as an adhesive), modified foodstarch (as a bulking agent), carrageenan (as adhesive), sucralose(intense sweetener) and talc (as flow/partitioning agent) in a fluidizedbed container to form a powder matrix. Each of the six batches of powdermatrix is atomized through a Nordson or similar static spray gun usingcompressed air onto the film layer of example I, to produce sixdifferent batches of tadalafil film dosage formats. The powder matrixlayer is applied such that each film dosage format will have about 20 mgtadalafil. The six batches of tadalafil film dosage format are thenindividually tested for dissolution, bioavailability and bioequivalenceand the results are compared to the reference compound. If necessary theprocess is repeated with different controlled release formulations ordifferent ratios to achieve a desired result.

EXAMPLE V

Four batches of film are formed as in Example I except that each batchfurther includes one of the slow, medium, fast or immediate releaseloratadine of example II, such that the final concentration ofloratadine is 10 mg per film dosage unit. The four batches of loratadinefilm dosage format are then individually tested for dissolution,bioavailability and bioequivalence and the results are compared to thereference compound. If necessary the process is repeated with differentcontrolled release formulations or different ratios to achieve a desiredresult.

EXAMPLE VI

A batch of film is formed as in Example I except that it contains mediumrelease desloratadine of example II such that the final concentration ofdesloratadine is 2.5 mg per film dosage unit.

Four batches of powder matrix are prepared by individually combining theslow, medium, fast, and immediate release desloratadine withcarboxymethylcellulose powder (as an adhesive), modified food starch (asa bulking agent), carrageenan (as adhesive), sucralose (intensesweetener) and talc (as flow/partitioning agent) in a fluidized bedcontainer to form a powder matrix. Each of the four batches of powdermatrix is atomized through a Nordson or similar static spray gun usingcompressed air onto the film layer, to produce four different batches ofdesloratadine film dosage formats (medium/slow, medium/medium,medium/fast, and medium/immediate release (film layer/powder matrixlayer)). The powder matrix layer is applied such that each film dosageformat will have about 5 mg desloratadine. The four batches ofdesloratadine film dosage format are then individually tested fordissolution, bioavailability and bioequivalence and the results arecompared to the reference compound. If necessary the process is repeatedwith different controlled release formulations to achieve a desiredresult.

While the invention is described in terms of a specific embodiment,other embodiments could readily be adapted by one skilled in the art.Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is limited only by thefollowing claims.

1. (canceled)
 2. A composition for the oral administration of an activeingredient wherein the composition comprises an edible thin film, thefilm comprising a natural or synthetic water-soluble polymer, the filmhaving a thickness of 0.01 mm to 3.00 mm and exhibiting an effectivedissolution rate in the oral cavity and an active ingredient provided incontrolled release formulation as a coating on said thin film, whereinthe coating comprises a powder matrix comprising the active ingredientin a microencapsulated form, wherein the active ingredient is present inabout 0.01 wt. % to about 50 wt. %, based on the weight of thecomposition.
 3. The composition of claim 2, wherein the activeingredient is provided in a controlled-release formulation selected fromthe group consisting of slow-, medium-, fast- and delayed release, and acombination thereof.
 4. The composition of claim 2, wherein the activeingredient is microencapsulated by a process selected from the groupconsisting of simple or complex coacervation, interracial cross-linking,interracial polymerization, polymer dispersion, matrix encapsulation,solvent evaporation, solvent extraction, spray drying, hot meltmicroencapsulation and supercritical fluid.
 5. A dosage format for theoral administration of an active ingredient, the dosage formatcomprising: a) an edible thin film, the film comprising a natural orsynthetic water-soluble polymer; and b) a multiplicity of individualmicroencapsulated controlled-release units each comprising the activeingredient and contained within the thin film; wherein the thin film isformulated and formed such that the thin film disintegrates in the oralcavity within about 15 seconds and wherein the multiplicity ofindividual active ingredient controlled-release units contained in thethin film are released upon said oral disintegration of the thin film,so that the active ingredient is released at a time other thanimmediately following oral administration, and wherein the activeingredient is present in about 0.01 wt. % to about 50 wt. %, based onthe weight of the dosage format.
 6. The dosage format of claim 5,wherein the microencapsulated controlled-release units are encapsulatedwith ethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate phthalate, cellulose acetatebutyrate, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose phthalate, carboxymethyl ethylcellulose, or carrageenan, or a mixture thereof.
 7. The dosage format ofclaim 6, wherein the microencapsulated controlled-release units areencapsulated with ethyl cellulose, or carrageenan, or a mixture thereof.8. The dosage format of claim 6, wherein the micro-encapsulatedcontrolled-release units are encapsulated by a coacervation process. 9.The dosage format of claim 8, wherein a second polymeric material isused in the coacervation process, the second polymer comprisingpolyethylene, polyisobutylene, ethylenevinyl acetate, or a mixturethereof.
 10. The dosage format of claim 6, wherein themicro-encapsulated controlled-release units are encapsulated by asolvent evaporation and solvent extraction process.
 11. The dosageformat of claim 6, wherein the micro-encapsulated controlled-releaseunits are encapsulated by a hot melt microencapsulation process.
 12. Thedosage format of claim 6, wherein the micro-encapsulatedcontrolled-release units have particle sizes in the range of 40 μm to250 μm.
 13. The dosage format of claim 5, further comprising apermeation enhancer.
 14. The dosage format of claim 13, wherein thepermeation enhancer is a bile salt, an alkylsulfate surfactant, ordimethyl sulfoxide, or any combination thereof.
 15. The dosage format ofclaim 14, wherein the bile salt is sodium cholate, sodium glycocholate,sodium glyodeoxycholate, tautodeoxycholate, sodium deoxycholate, sodiumthocholate chenocholate, hyodeoxycholate, dehydrocholate,glycochenocholate, taurochenocholate, or taurochenodexoxycholate, or anycombination thereof.
 16. The dosage format of claim 14, wherein thealkylsulfate surfactant is sodium dodecyl sulfate or sodium laurylsulfate.
 17. The dosage format of claim 5, further comprising an agentfor adjusting pH conditions to modulate the rate of mucosal absorptionof active ingredient.
 18. The dosage format of claim 17, wherein theagent for adjusting pH conditions is a buffering agent.
 19. The dosageformat of claim 17, wherein the agent for adjusting pH conditions iscontained in the film layer, in the controlled release units, or both.20. The dosage format of claim 5, further comprising an immediaterelease form of the active agent, of a second active agent, or both. 21.The dosage format of claim 5, wherein the active ingredient in thecontrolled-release units is made available in the gastrointestinaltract.